U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter Ends Write-in Campaign

U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Livonia), who represents Michigan's 11th Congressional District, announced Saturday that he will end his write-in campaign for re-election. The district includes the city of Farmington. 

McCotter learned last weekend that to appear on the Aug. 7 primary ballot. He has maintained that the discrepancy was due either to panic or sabotage.

"One can’t clean up a mess multitasking. Honoring my promise to the sovereign people of our community only allows me to finish the official duties of my present Congressional term," McCotter said in a statement. "And aid the State Attorney General criminal investigation that I requested into identifying the person or persons who concocted the fraudulent petitions that have cost me so dearly."

McCotter added, “Honoring this promise does not allow me to continue a political write-in campaign. This decision is final, regardless of how swiftly the investigation is concluded.”

He ended his statement saying: “To those who (are) unhappy at this news, I’m sorry; to those happy at this news, you’re welcome."

McCotter's campaign says it filed 1,830 signatures, but only 244 were valid, a report said. A congressional candidate must file at least 1,000 and not more than 2,000 signatures.

A few challengers emerged in the days after the announcement that McCotter would run as a write-in. On Friday, Loren Bennett of Canton announced on his Facebook page that he would run as a write-in in the Republican primary. He wrote, "We will need 1,000 volunteers to succeed, but I believe the 11th District deserves better than the representation it's been getting."

Kerry Bentivolio, a former Milford teacher, will be the only GOP name on the ballot. Democrats and also will appear on the ballot for the 11th congressional district.

Correction: Dr. Syed Taj's name was incorrectly reported in the original version of this story.